Adjustable tote divider system

ABSTRACT

An adjustable tote divider system for allowing a create dividers in an existing totes, tool boxes, or trays. The adjustable tote divider system comprises a plurality of rigid vertical components and rigid horizontal components, each including a plurality of receiving cuts configured to be oriented in a parallel direction when engaging one the receiving cuts of the corresponding component. The rigid structure allows the grid structure which is formed by the interlocking components to have sufficient rigidity for tools and other items placed in the tote divider system to stand upright. Each of the vertical components and horizontal components also include perforated areas which allow them to be resized at the time of use to fit various depths.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to storage accessories and, more particularly, to tote dividers which can be configured at the time of use to fit a plurality of depth sizes.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of general divider systems is well known. Not only are many containers and holding structure are sold with existing divider systems, but divider system components can often be purchased for specific sized totes, tool boxes, or trays. A problem which still exists, however, is existing divider systems which can be purchased as components and inserted into an existing container are usually of a fixed depth and are often constructed of a soft fabric material. If a user was unsure of the depth of his container or if his needs vis-à-vis container depth changed, such existing divider systems would not be useful. Similarly, if the user wanted to use the grid walls created by a divider system to stand up his tools or items stored for ease of retrieval, many existing systems would not address the user's needs. Thus, there remains a need for an adjustable tote divider system which was comprised of components constructed of a rigid material and which allowed for adjustments in its depth at the time of use.

The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a tote divider system with components constructed of a rigid plastic material and adapted to be adjustable in its depth. The primary components of Applicant's adjustable tote divider system are a plurality of interlocking vertical components and horizontal components. Prior to assembly, the components can be resized to reduce their respective depth. When assembled, the components provide a grid structure with rigid walls. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by the prior art are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An adjustable tote divider system for allowing a create dividers in an existing totes, tool boxes, or trays. The adjustable tote divider system comprises a plurality of rigid vertical components and rigid horizontal components, each including a plurality of receiving cuts configured to be oriented in a parallel direction when engaging one the receiving cuts of the corresponding component. The rigid structure allows the grid structure which is formed by the interlocking components to have sufficient rigidity for tools and other items placed in the tote divider system to stand upright. Each of the vertical components and horizontal components also include perforated areas which allow them to be resized at the time of use to fit various depths.

When in operation the adjustable tote divider system allows a user to store his tools or other items in an existing tote in a manner that makes them easy to locate quickly.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adjustable tote divider system with components that can be resized to reduce their respective depth.

It is another object of this invention to provide an adjustable tote divider system with components provide a grid structure with rigid walls.

These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the default interlocking components of an adjustable tote divider system sized at full depth.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the complete adjustable tote divider system with all components assembled together.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the interlocking components of an adjustable tote divider system resized to a medium length.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the interlocking components of an adjustable tote divider system resized to a small depth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, the base components of an adjustable tote divider system 10, namely a vertical component 11 and a horizontal component 12, are shown. The vertical component 11 is defined by a rigid plate structure 13 having a rectangular profile with a top surface 13 a, a bottom surface 13 b and seven receiving cuts 11 a in the top surface 13 a. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between each receiving cut 11 a is two and one quarter inches.

The plate structure 13 includes a first perforated area 11 b and a second perforated area 11 c, each of which run across its rectangular profile. In the preferred embodiment, the second perforated area 11 c is one half inch from the bottom surface 13 b and the first perforated area 11 b is one half inch from the second perforated area 11 c. Each perforated area allows the plate structure 13 to be resized by way of breaking a portion of the plate structure 13 off along the perforated area and removing it. In this manner, breaking the portion of the plate structure 13 off at the second perforated area 11 c and removing the broken off section allows the plate structure to be resized by one half inch. Similarly, breaking the portion of the plate structure 13 off at the first perforated area 11 b and removing the broken off section allows the plate structure 13 to be resized by one inch.

The horizontal component 12 is also defined by a rigid plate structure 14 having a rectangular profile with a top surface 14 a, a bottom surface 14 b and seven receiving cuts 12 a in the bottom surface 14 a. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between each receiving cut 12 a is one and one quarter inches.

The plate structure 14 includes a first perforated area 12 b and a second perforated area 12 c, each of which runs across its rectangular profile. In the preferred embodiment, the second perforated area 12 c is one half inch from the bottom surface 14 b and the first perforated area 12 b is one half inch from the second perforated area 12 c. As with the vertical component 11, each perforated area of the horizontal component 12 allows the plate structure 14 to be resized by way of breaking a portion of the plate structure 14 off along the perforated area and removing it. In this manner, breaking the portion of the plate structure 14 off at the second perforated area 11 c and removing the broken off section allows the plate structure to be resized by one half inch. Similarly, breaking the portion of the plate structure 13 off at the first perforated area 11 b and removing the broken off section allows the plate structure 13 to be resized by one inch. Such resizing, if applied equally to the vertical component and the horizontal component, allows the depth of the adjustable tote divider system 10 to be resized at the time of use to be able to fit a plurality of sized totes.

Unlike the vertical component 11, the perforated areas of the horizontal component 12 cross the receiving cuts 12 a. This is because when the complete system is assembled, the vertical component 11 is configured to be placed with its receiving cuts 11 a facing up while the horizontal component 12 is configured to be placed with its receiving cuts 12 a facing down. In this manner, when the two components of the adjustable tote divider system 10 are assembled together, the receiving cuts 11 a of the vertical component 11 are configured to engage the receiving cuts 12 a of the horizontal component 12. In accordance with such a design, the perforated portions of both the vertical component and the horizontal component are located on the portion of the respective component which is configured to face down when the two components of the adjustable tote divider system 10 are assembled together. As a result, inadvertent breaking of any portion of the plate structure 13 of the vertical component 11 or the plate structure 14 of the horizontal component 12 is avoided.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the assembled adjustable tote divider system 20 includes seven identical vertical components 21 and seven identical horizontal components 22. The assembled adjustable tote divider system 20 is defined by the receiving cuts of the vertical components 21 and the receiving cuts of said horizontal components 22 being configured to engage each other as the respective receiving cuts run in parallel to each other when the respective components are properly engaged.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the vertical component 31 and the horizontal component3 of an adjustable tote divider system 30, are shown with the second perforated area broken off and removed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the vertical component 41 and the horizontal component 42 of an adjustable tote divider system 40, are shown with the second perforated area broken off and removed.

In the preferred embodiment, the base components of an adjustable tote divider system provide six inches in depth at full depth. In an alternate embodiment, the base components of an adjustable tote divider system provide five inches of depth at full depth.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable tote divider system, comprising: a plurality of vertical components, wherein each vertical component is defined by a rectangular body that includes a top surface and a bottom surface, with the top surface having a plurality of vertical component receiving cuts disposed thereon; a plurality of horizontal components, wherein each horizontal component is defined by a rectangular body that includes a top surface and a bottom surface, with the bottom surface having a plurality of horizontal component receiving cuts disposed thereon; and wherein said vertical component receiving cuts and said horizontal component receiving cuts are configured to enable the top surface of the plurality of vertical components, when arranged sequentially in parallel, to be engaged with said bottom surface of the plurality of horizontal components, arranged sequentially in parallel respective to one another but perpendicular to the plurality of vertical components, to form an interlocking grid structure.
 2. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 1, wherein each vertical component includes at least one vertical component perforated area which extends across the vertical component's rectangular body.
 3. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 2, wherein said at least one vertical component perforated area which extends across the vertical component's rectangular body within one inch of its bottom surface.
 4. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 2, wherein two vertical component perforated areas, one half inch apart, extend across the vertical component's rectangular body within one inch of the vertical component's bottom surface.
 5. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 2, wherein each horizontal component includes at least one horizontal component perforated area which extends across the horizontal component's rectangular body.
 6. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 3, wherein each horizontal component includes at least one horizontal component perforated area which extends across the horizontal component's rectangular body.
 7. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 6, wherein said at least one horizontal component perforated area which extends across the horizontal component's rectangular body within one inch of its bottom surface.
 8. The adjustable tote divider system of claim 6, wherein two horizontal component perforated areas, one half inch apart, extend across the horizontal component's rectangular body within one inch of the horizontal component's bottom surface. 